Facts

ONLINE EXTRA

Sheriff's Capt. Ray Kugler — who also was fined $2,500 — was the first DeSoto County jailer to strike a plea deal with federal prosecutors in a case that was sparked by a Herald-Tribune investigation.

The deal requires Kugler to testify against his former colleagues in exchange for a reduced sentence.

Three other deputies face federal charges in the case involving the beating of former jail inmate Jody Holland.

In October, Kugler agreed to plead guilty to lying to FBI agents — a federal felony.

An FBI special agent and an agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement interviewed Kugler in June as part of the agencies' probe into allegations of abuse and civil rights violations in the jail.

Holland, 44, said DeSoto deputies beat him on three occasions, slamming his head into a concrete wall, punching him in the face and chest and choking him nearly unconscious.

Sheriff's officials — including Kugler — initially denied that any staff member used force on Holland, but the Sheriff's Office began an investigation after being contacted by the Herald-Tribune.

The FBI and FDLE also began probes of the beatings.

Kugler retired in the midst of those probes.

"I hope Kugler keeps his word and plays a role in the prosecution of those who beat me," Holland said Tuesday, adding that his civil suit against DeSoto County is "progressing."

According to Kugler's federal plea agreement, the agents asked Kugler about a request to transport Holland to a local hospital — a request Holland and others say Kugler denied.

"The questions asked, and the responses provided by Mr. Kugler, were material to the investigation of whether DeSoto County jail staff, including Mr. Kugler, were willfully and deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of inmate J.H. (Holland)," the plea agreement states.

In addition to the probation and fine, Kugler must perform 150 hours of community service.

The sentencing documents indicate that Kugler must submit to random drug testing and that he loses his right to own guns.

He must report to his federal probation officer each month, and must allow unannounced visits to his home by the probation staff.

Lingering effects

DeSoto County deputies first arrested Holland in April, amid reports that he had beaten his girlfriend, Christine Routson, a nurse who worked at the jail until she resigned while under investigation.

Holland denied the domestic battery charges, which were later dropped.

He spent the night in jail after his April arrest and was later released and ordered to stay away from Routson. Routson alleged that Holland violated this court order at least three times.

Holland was again arrested, this time on May 25, on charges of violating the injunction. He was taken to the DeSoto jail, where he claims the assaults began.

He admitted he called Routson from the jail phone, which violated the court's no-contact order — a misdemeanor offense. Holland says he reached out to her for help after one of the beatings.

Holland said he is still suffering the effects of a mild concussion and grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the beatings.

<p>A federal judge sentenced the former commander at the DeSoto County Jail to three years probation for his role in the beating of a former inmate and the cover-up that followed.</p><p>Sheriff's Capt. Ray Kugler — who also was fined $2,500 — was the first DeSoto County jailer to strike a plea deal with federal prosecutors in a case that was sparked by a Herald-Tribune investigation.</p><p>The deal requires Kugler to testify against his former colleagues in exchange for a reduced sentence.</p><p>Three other deputies face federal charges in the case involving the beating of former jail inmate Jody Holland.</p><p>In October, Kugler agreed to plead guilty to lying to FBI agents — a federal felony.</p><p>An FBI special agent and an agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement interviewed Kugler in June as part of the agencies' probe into allegations of abuse and civil rights violations in the jail.</p><p>Holland, 44, said DeSoto deputies beat him on three occasions, slamming his head into a concrete wall, punching him in the face and chest and choking him nearly unconscious.</p><p>Sheriff's officials — including Kugler — initially denied that any staff member used force on Holland, but the Sheriff's Office began an investigation after being contacted by the Herald-Tribune.</p><p>The FBI and FDLE also began probes of the beatings.</p><p>Kugler retired in the midst of those probes.</p><p>"I hope Kugler keeps his word and plays a role in the prosecution of those who beat me," Holland said Tuesday, adding that his civil suit against DeSoto County is "progressing."</p><p>According to Kugler's federal plea agreement, the agents asked Kugler about a request to transport Holland to a local hospital — a request Holland and others say Kugler denied.</p><p>"The questions asked, and the responses provided by Mr. Kugler, were material to the investigation of whether DeSoto County jail staff, including Mr. Kugler, were willfully and deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of inmate J.H. (Holland)," the plea agreement states.</p><p>In addition to the probation and fine, Kugler must perform 150 hours of community service.</p><p>The sentencing documents indicate that Kugler must submit to random drug testing and that he loses his right to own guns.</p><p>He must report to his federal probation officer each month, and must allow unannounced visits to his home by the probation staff.</p><p><b>Lingering effects</b></p><p>DeSoto County deputies first arrested Holland in April, amid reports that he had beaten his girlfriend, Christine Routson, a nurse who worked at the jail until she resigned while under investigation.</p><p>Holland denied the domestic battery charges, which were later dropped.</p><p>He spent the night in jail after his April arrest and was later released and ordered to stay away from Routson. Routson alleged that Holland violated this court order at least three times.</p><p>Holland was again arrested, this time on May 25, on charges of violating the injunction. He was taken to the DeSoto jail, where he claims the assaults began.</p><p>He admitted he called Routson from the jail phone, which violated the court's no-contact order — a misdemeanor offense. Holland says he reached out to her for help after one of the beatings.</p><p>Holland said he is still suffering the effects of a mild concussion and grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the beatings.</p>